USA > Illinois > Greene County > History of Greene county, Illinois: its past and present > Part 86
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sending up a harmonious bass to " home, sweet home," which his wife has " struck up," while John and Edward S. are stretched out on the puncheon floor- regaling themselves with a chunk of corn bread, this being the regular article of diet, wheat bread the exception. This is no overdrawn picture, it was but the true state of things as they existed, when Mr. and Mrs. Vallentine began life, yet from these unpropitious and unfavorable surroundings have, by economy and industry, attained their present condition, as we find them to- day. Mr. Vallentine was born in Dover, New Hampshire, Sept. II, 1812, was a son of John Vallentine and Anna Plant. At an early age James moved with his parents to Taunton, Mass., where they continued up to the year 1837; when they moved to Greene County in this State, first settling in Carrollton. On September II, 1838, was united in marriage to Martha A. Van- arsdale, born June 24, 1818, in Mercer Co., Kentucky. Left Carrollton in 1840 and moved on the place he now lives, having loaned a party $500, which he could not pay, he took the forty acres in lieu of the money, and began farming. He being raised up a mechanic, this new vocation was very distasteful to him, yet he plodded on and having in the person of his wife a very efficient helpmeet, he was double- handed. They remained at this place about eight years, when at this time there was a piece of land that he desired, but not having the money, he, to pay for it, traded . his horses and implements for the land, and returned to Carrollton and resumed his trade, where he continued two years, then returned to his farm and began again, and has since continued farming, yet during the time of driving stock to St. Louis, has traded quite extensively in that line. Subsequent to this he engaged in the commercial busi- ness at Rockbridge, where he built the storehouse now occupied by J. M. & J. H. Vallentine. He continued in busi- ness there for about eight years, when he sold out his interest to its present occupants, and he is still carrying on his farm, but con- siders himself partially retired. Having di- vided up his property among his children, is not attempting to do much business, be- ing more interested in their success than of
his own at the present. Mr. and Mrs. Val- lentine and daughter are members of the Presbyterian church. He is also a member of Sheffield Lodge A. F. & A. M., No. 687. Mr. and Mrs. Vallentine have had eight children, but five are now living : John H., born December 7, 1840; Edward S., born January 29, 1843 ; Ellen J., born Novem- ber 25, 1844 ; J. Meade, born August 7, 1849; Cora B., born April 3, 1857. Ed- ward S. is now settled in Christian County in this State, Ellen J. is now the wife of A. Bowman, Cora B. is at home.
VALLENTINE J. H. dry goods and groceries, and general store, Rockbridge. John Henry first saw the light of day, in town 10, range 10, December 7, 1840 ; is is the first child in a family of five children born of James and Martha Ann Vallentine, her maiden name was Vanarsdale ; both of the above named families are favorably known in the county. The subject of this sketch had excellent educational advantages which were improved. In 1862 he embark- ed in business for himself, first engaging in agricultural pursuits, at which he continued two years. During this time he was in command of the Yates Guard, a company of militia that was in organization since the outbreak of the war, a portion of which company went with him into the one hun- dred days service, joining the 133d Regi- ment, J. Henry receiving a commission as Ist Lieutenant. Upon his return from ser- vice he embarked in the mercantile busi- ness with his brother, Edward S. Vallentine, October 24, 1864, which partnership con- tinued until the Spring of 1867. He then associated with Albert Bowman, his brother- in-law, they doing business together until 1869, when he bought his partner out, and his father, James Vallentine, became one of the firm, and remained with him until 1876, when Joseph Mead bought his father's in- terest, and the firm is now known as J H. & J. M. Vallentine. They have one of the largest and best arranged business houses in the county, being 75x25 feet, main build- ing two stories high, having a cellar under the entire portion, and attached to the main building in the rear, is an agricultural room, one story and a half high, 32x22 feet. They carry a large stock of goods, having every thing that is needed : dry goods, groceries,
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TOWN 10, NORTH RANGE 10, WEST.
clothing, boots and shoes, stoves, hardware, and fancy goods, and are doing a thriving business. On June the 20th he was united in marriage to Susan B. Ryan, daughter of W. E. Ryan ; she was born November 15. 1844. They have been blessed with five children, three of whom are now living : James W., Birdie M. Claudie M., Edward M., Lucy W. B. Mr. John H. is a member of the Masonic Order, Sheffield Lodge, No. 687, also of the Knights of Honor, Golden Rule Lodge No. 1017. From the present outlook we predict for him a bright and successful career, and he will no doubt become one of the most opulent commer- cial men in the county
VALLENTINE J.M. grain and lumber Sec. 34, P.O. Rockbridge. Joseph Mead, is a son of James Vallentine, a well-known self-made man of this county. Joseph first beheld the light of day in T Io, R IO. His educational advantages were good ; aside from the common schools he attended the high school at Carrollton; and the Iowa State University. Having an inclination to study materia medica, entered Rush Medi- cal College, with the intention of taking a thorough course, but only attended one year, when in consequence of ill health was compelled to relinquish his studies for a time, to return home and recuperate ; but was restrained from following out the bent of his inclination, as his father's health not being good, and having at the time a large amount of business on hand, he importuned Joseph to engage with him in business, and on July 25, 1870, began business with Jas, Vallentine & Co,, dealers in general mer- chandise, grain and lumber; firm composed of James, John H., George R. and J. M. Vallentine, he continuing with them un- til November I, 1871, at which time he withdrew from the partnership, and taking the grain and lumber business as his, then associated himself with another brother, E. S. Vallentine adding the stock trade also. This partnership was of short duration, terminating in April, 1872, by the with- drawal of E. S. Vallentine. The grain business, also the lumber, has since been controlled by him alone. July I, 1876, he bought his father's interest in firm of James Vallentine & Co., and the business has since been conducted under the firm
name of J. M. & J. H. Vallentine, each be- ing equal partner. March 2, 1871, he formed a matrimonial alliance with Anna Rhodes, born March 26, 1852. She was a daughter of John Rhodes, an old resident of the county. Their association together was short, though very happy, as they had congenial temperaments and were " mated " as well as married; but Joseph was caused to "pass under the rod." Death, the grim monster, Aug. 14, 1873, invaded his happy home and bore off, on his icy bosom, his first born, named Rhodes, and, not being content with this invasion, Aug. 11, 1874, returned and bore away to the Spirit land his wife, Anna, thus leaving his home des- olate indeed. After her death he continued keeping house until 1877, and has since been boarding with Wm. Rhodes. Mr. J. M. is now doing business in the first house building that was erected in the town. He is doing a good business, and well deserv- ing of the high regard and esteem with which he is viewed in the community in which he resides
VANARSDALE J. H. farmer, Sec. 31, P.O. Rockbridge, was a native born Kentuckian, having first beheld the light of day in Mercer County, June 28, 1816. His father, Peter, married Miss Charity De- merce, both of them being of Dutch de- scent. The father of J. H. being a man who believed that slavery was morally wrong, and advocating this idea, with a fervency characteristic of the man, his ideas were not entertained by those people as being orthodox, and Peter, like the Pil- grim Fathers, emigrated to a clime more congenial to his conceptions of right, where he could exercise his opinions and princi- ples untrammeled by that sectional or par- tisan feeling so rife in that locality, and in the year 1836 moved to Carrollton, where he remained about two years, when he re- moved to the country, as he had become unpopular on account of his (what was then styled) "Abolition " principles. He never lived to see the triumph of the principles which he advocated so zealously, but his children have witnessed with pride the final victory of the tenets to which he adhered, and which have now become gov- ernmentally the chief corner stone. After J. H. had arrived at his twenty-first year,
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he engaged for himself at farming pursuits, at which he continued up to the date of his marriage, which occurred Dec. 9, 1839, to Susan Demere, by whom he had two chil- dren : Alfred H., who is now in Colorado, and James, who died in the service. Mr. V. lost his wife in 1854; was married sec- ond time to Mrs. Sarah S. Batchelder, by whom he has five children : Sue .F., born April 28, 1856; Hattie E., born March 29, 1858; Harry P., born March 29, 1858, twins; Allie J., born July 11, 1859; Ernest S., born Sept. 29, 1862, all of whom are now at home. Miss Sue is music teacher and Hattie teacher in the public school. Mr. Van. was elected justice of the peace, in 1849, which office he continued to hold by re-election until the year 1862, when. he was appointed U. S. district assessor internal revenue depart- ment for the county, and in 1867 re- ceived an appointment as a member of the board of equalization for this Congress- ional district. Mr. Vanarsdale has always been an uncompromising temperance man, and politically is of his father's belief, and says he voted the anti-slavery ticket when there was not another voter to bear him company; voted for Martin Van Buren in 1836. He and family are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church. Still engaged in agricultural pursuits; has been school director twenty-five years
Vanarsdale Lewis, clerk, Sec. 30, P.O. Rock- bridge
Vanmeter Amanda Mrs. Sec. 33, P.O. Rock- bridge
Vanmeter Mrs. farming, Sec. 35, P.O. Green- field
VAUGHN JOHN, farmer, Sec. 24, P. O. Fayette, was born in Sangamon County, Ill., Feb. 2, 1834. His father, Harberd, is a native of Virginia; his mother's maiden name was Jane Young, and claims a birth- place in the same State as her husband. They lived but a few years after their ar- rival in Sangamon County, and at the age of seven years he was left an orphan, and had to battle alone in life, without a father's aid or a mother's counsel. At an early age he went to live with a man in Mason County, by the name of Harder, who agreed to give him good advantages in school and clothe him, and at his majority to present him with a good horse and
equipments in consideration for the ser- vices he would render. The result was he got about six months' schooling in all, and on his departure received $1 95, and the horse and bridle and saddle he never got. He then came to this county, worked a while for his brother gratis, then hired by the month at low wages, working for Mr. Eldred, then David Wright and C. N. Brace. In the Fall of 1856, Oct. 16, was married to Catherine E. Hill, born in Tennessee, Jan. 1, 1835. They have had eight children, but four now living: Mag- gie, born Sept. 12, 1864; Edie, May 7, 1869; Ella, Sept. 15, 1871, and Ota, July 3, 1878. After his marriage, rented land of Mr. Brace, for three years, then moved to Fayette, and rented land of Mr. Bostick two years, and subsequently bought the land he now occupies, and im- proved it, and though a small farm, yet it is sufficient for him. He owes no man a dollar, and will hand down to his children a name and character for honesty and in- tegrity that none can gainsay or disapprove Valmer Louis, shoemaker, Greenfield Voyles C. H. cooper, Greenfield Voyles Eli, laborer, Greenfield
WAGGONER FRED. farmer, P. O. Greenfield
Waggoner John, farmer, Sec. 20, P.O. Green- field
Wahl John, furniture, Greenfield. Waelden L. F. minister, Greenfield. Walker Richard, renter Sec. 2, P. O. Green- field.
WARD W. M. attorney at law. The sub- ject of this sketch is a son of Jesse and Ma- ry Ward. The former a native of Ken- tucky, and the latter of Virginia. The father of W. M. was a farmer by occupa- tion and was among the first settlers in Jer- sey. W. M. was born in Jersey Co. Dec. 24, 1838, and attended the common school until he was eighteen years of age. He then took a trip to the Rocky Mountains, where he spent eight years in various occupations. Was first engaged in mining, then was in the Attorney General's office, and was out on an expedition after the Red men and followed them into their mountain fastness and had some practical experience in Indi- an fighting. And during his stay in the
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TOWN 10, NORTH RANGE 10, WEST.
West he had a varied and checkered expe- rience. In the Winter of 1867 he returned to Brighton, Macoupin Co. and soon after he entered the office of Asa Potter and en- gaged in the study of law, in which he con- tinued for about three years. On July 26, 1870, he concluded that the life of a bach- elor was getting too monotonous and he wooed and won the hand of Louisa Pros- ser, and their marriage was duly celebra- ted on the above date. By this union they have had three children of whom two are now living. Louisa M, born Sept. 8. 1872 ; Jessie W, born Oct 20, 1876. From the time he left the office of Asa Potter, 1872, he went into the employ of the Rockford and Rock Island R. R. company as a ma- chinist, where he remained about one year ; he then moved his family to Greene Co., and engaged in the milling business, which he followed until 1875, at which time he sold out his interest and located in Green- field. On May 10, 1875, he received an ap- pointment as postmaster, and on June 5, got his commission. In 1876 received ap- pointment as notary, was admitted to the bar Jan. 1877, and has since been engaged in the practice of law
WEAVER CHARLES H. furni- ture, Sec. 34, P.O. Rockbridge, was born in Jefferson Co. New York, Sept. 13, 1842. He is the eighth child of a family of thir- teen children, born of Anthony and Mary Ann Weaver; her maiden name was Schoul- tice ; his family is of German and French descent. Charles H. was thrown on his own resources at the age of fourteen years, and worked at such work as he could obtain for about five years, when he went to learn the trade of a carpenter. In 1862, having an inclination to try his fortunes in the west, started out, landing at Medora, Macoupin Co. remaining but a short time; then he went to Walnut Grove ; was there taken sick with lung fever where he came very near " passing over." After his recov- ery, he returned to Medora and engaged in the carpenter's trade. From here he went to John C. Daniel's, then to String Prairie ; after making several changes, he finally came to the town of Rockbridge, where he engaged at his trade, he having been engaged in building nearly all the houses in the town. In July, 1875, he
went into business for himself, engaged in the furniture business. He lived a bach- elor until Feb. 15, 1875, when he married Cecelia S. King; had two children viz: Charles A. born Oct. 22, 1873, Harald K. born March 28, 1876. The first house built in Chicago, was erected by the first cousin of Anthony Weaver. Chas. H. is a member of Sheffield Lodge, A. F. and A. M. No. 687
Weisner George C. laborer, Greenfield.
WEISNER J. HARVEY, retired farmer. " Uncle Harvey," as he is famil- iarily known, was born in Surry County, North Carolina, near the Yadkin River, Jan. 10, 1803, was the son of John and Margaret Weisner, who were natives of that State ; they are of German and Irish descent. During his fourteenth year he moved to Smith Co., Tennessee, during which time he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, in the interest of his father. Feb. 20 1827, he was united in marriage to Martha Evans, by whom he had twelve children, one daughter and eleven sons ; six of these entered the U. S. service, but three return- ing ; Elizabeth, his only daughter, married W. Elkinton, and is now a resident of Kan- sas. In the year 1829 Mr. W. moved to this State, and located in this county, and stopped in the city when there was but one cabin in the town. He now owns 250 acres of land. When he emigrated to this coun- ty, he came with his wife and children in an old ox cart, arriving here with 75 cents in money, had to go to Carrollton for his mail, 25 cents being the price paid for the delivery of letters at that time. When he first came here, he worked at any- thing he could get to do, in order to main- tain his family, going many times miles from home to get something to do that would bring him something that would go towards making a living ; he would have to return home every night, as the safety of his family depended upon it ; after sev- eral years of hard labor and rigid economy, he accumulated enough to buy him a bar- shire plow with wooden mould-board, and with the assistance of the oxen, that had been his companions from Tennessee, he began farming for himself, by renting a small patch of ground, and in this way he managed to save enough after a time, to se-
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GREENE COUNTY DIRECTORY.
cure forty acres of land, and he relates that after this purchase, " he felt rich,"as he then had a home and could work for himself. Mr. Weisner's wife died on April 27, 1877. She died in the triumphs of the faith; she was a very devoted woman to her religion and family. Mr. Weisner was married the second time to Mrs. Martha Holtsclaw, of Mt. Sterling, Brown Co., this State ; this marriage occurred in 1877. Mrs. Weisner is an inestimable lady and their relations are of the most amicable and affectionate charac- ter, they are perfectly devoted to each oth- er and are truly mated as well as married. Mr. Weisner has been a member of the M. E. Church for about sixty years and has lived a consistent life ; is a zealous member of the Masonic order, attending the meet- ings regularly ; he is a member of Green- field Lodge No. 77. Mr. Weisner has been long and favorably known in this county, and has been identified with its interests throughout the past, and is now retired from active life and is spending the eve of his days in quiet, and in the enjoyment of a remarkable degree of health, for one of his age, and is highly esteemed by all who know him, as a worthy, conscientious man, and upright citizen, and well deserving of the high esteem with which he is viewed in the community where he resides
Weldon Thomas, constable, Greenfield
Wilhite W. T. merchant, Greenfield
Wells D. nurseryman, Greenfield
Wermer Adam, farm hand, Sec, 29, P. O. Rockbridge
Wheatley Wm. janitor school building, Green- field
Whetstone John, lab. Sec. 13, P.O. Fayette Wilder B. renter, Sec. 28, P.O. Greenfield Wilder G. B. laborer, Greenfield
Wilder Moses, farmer, Sec. 21, P.O. Green- field
WILDER R. E. retired, Greenfield. Prominent among the solid men of this township, is the name of Richard Everett Wilder, the seventh son of the late Rev. John Wilder of Attleborough, Mass., born there September 14, 1810. Losing his mother in infancy, his early training in all its parts, social, moral, educational and re- ligious, devolved mainly upon his surviving parent. Under the influences that pre- vailed at that time, in New England, he
passed into manhood having imbibed the sturdy principles of our Puritanic fore- fathers. At this age, while his brothers chose, some the profession of law, others that of divinity, he early decided to make teaching a life-time profession. Accord- ingly he applied.to the first Teachers' Sem- inary ever established in the country, at Andover, Mass., presided over by that dis- tingished friend of popular education, the late Rev. Samuel M. Hall, author of that popular treatise, "Lectures on School Teaching." Completing his literary edu- cation at this institution, he spent some years in the practice of his chosen profes- sion, in the vicinity of Boston. Though successful in his early efforts in this direc- tion there, he determined to select a wider field of usefulness. Accordingly, in 1834, he emigrated to Kentucky, where he found his anticipations abundantly realized. Here, in what is generally known as the Ashland District around Lexington, he continued to instruct, having in charge for many years a Female Seminary at Nicholasville. In 1845 he was united in marriage with Miss Ann Terrell, eldest daughter of the late Colonel Henry T. Terrell, of Garland Co., Kentucky. After prosecuting his profes- sion for some twenty years in Kentucky, and being desirous of ridding himself and family of that baneful influence of the pe- culiar institution prevalent there, emigrated to Illinois with his little family in 1852, stopping for a short time at Jacksonville and vicinity, till the completion of the Seminary at Greenfield, and in the Fall of 1852 moved to the above place and took charge of the same. Over this he presided until the introduction of the public school system, when he retired, yet teaching at in- tervals until 1867, when he erected what is known as the "Greenfield Academy," a private institution, which he has conducted ever since, which has enjoyed a good de- gree of prosperity nearly all the time, hav- ing numbered in the course of fifty sessions over six hundred students. During his whole professional career, he has instructed his hundreds and even thousands of students, some of whom have been mem- bers of Congress and of the State legisla- lature, and distinguished divines, lawyers, judges and generals in our army, besides
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the many who have adorned the private walks of life. In 1859, in the organization of the Presbyterian church in Greenfield, he was chosen a ruling elder, which posi- tion he still holds, having many times rep- resented his church constituency in all the higher courts, including the General As- sembly of the Presbyterian Church of the United States. In 1862 his first wife died, leaving three children, two of whom, Ann Esther and Fannie Everett still survive. In 1867 was married to Mrs. Lucy Trum- bull. At present, 1879, he has somewhat retired to the shades of private life, though still engaged in the educational, benevolent and religious enterprises of the day
Wiles Richard, farmer, Sec. 2, P.O. Fayette Wiley B. teacher, Sec. 34, P.O. Rockbridge WILHITE W. THOMAS, dry goods, and general store, Greenfield. The subject of this sketch first saw the light of day in Oldham County, Ky., Feb. 27, 1836; was the son of Thomas and Martha Wilhite, who were of German descent. His early advantages for obtaining an educa- tion were fair, considering the times and his surroundings. His father died when William was but an infant, and he was then at the mercies of a step-father. Be- fore he arrived at his majority he made two trips to this State before he finally settled here, these trips being made in the years 1855-56. After coming out the last time, he formed a matrimonial alliance with Elizabeth Hockensmith, which was celebrated May 2, 1856. Elizabeth was a daughter of Andrew Hockensmith; she was born Jan. 22, 1838. From this union they have had eight children, five of whom are now living: Nora B., born June 20, 1860; Howard A., born Sept. 16, 1865; Ernest, born April 24, 1869; Claude, born April 27, 1876; Rena Ethel, born April 14, 1878. After his marriage he bought a farm near Scottsville, Macoupin Co., where he engaged in farming pursuits for eight years; his health becoming impaired, he moved to Greenfield until he recuperated his health, and then went out east of town, where he farmed for three years; he does not consider his first attempt at farming a success, according to his own judgment, having begun the business without any knowledge, he had to get the experience
first; but he considers his second attempt more of a success, as he made money from the first until he abandoned it. He then went to Greenfield, and embarked in the mercantile business, and has since been loyal to it, and his efforts have been attended with gratifying results. From his modest beginning he has now got the largest and best arranged storehouse in town, and the largest, choicest, and most valuable stock. He is dealing in dry goods, notions, boots and shoes, and, in fact, has a general store, and selling at prices to suit the times. Mr. Wilhite has, by strict at- tention to his business and studying the wants and needs of his customers, and square dealing built up a trade and a repu- tation which has crowned his efforts with marked success. Mr. Wilhite is a man that is very resolute in anything which he un- dertakes, and once he "puts his hand to the plow, he never turns back," until he ac- complishes what he undertakes. He is a man that has never sought office, has been content to attend to his own business; is not a member of any church; is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is known in the community as a reliable man and worthy citizen
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